Knitting machine



April 29, 1941. F. G. wElsBEcKr-:R 2,240,467

KNITT ING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet l SMOM um April 29,1941 F. G. wElsBEcKER 2,240,467

` K NITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 2 FRA/Vif G.WE/SBE C iff/9 April 29, 1941. F, Q WEISBECKER 2,240,467

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 21, 1957 5 sheets-sheet s April 29,r 1941.F. G. wExsBEcKz-:R

KNITTING MACHINE Filed Jan. 2l, 1937 5 Sheets-Sheet 4 April 29, 1941- F.G. wElsBEcKl-:R

KNITTING MACHINEI Filed Jan. 21, les? 5 Sheets-Sheet 5 FRAN/f G.WE/SBECKER Patented Apr. 29, 1941 KNITTING MACHINE Frank'G. Weishecker,Glenside, Pa., assignor to Hosiery Patents Incorporated, Lansdale, Pa.,a corporation of Pennsylvania Application January 21, 1937, Serial No.121,679

58 Claims.

This invention relates to straight knitting machines, and moreparticularly to a mechanism for controlling the operation of the yarncarrier bars of a straight knitting machine, for example, of the fullfashioned type.

In straight or ilat knitting machines now generally used, such forexample as those used for producing full fashioned hosiery and othersimilar knitted articles. the `yarn carriers are mount- `ed upon andmove with bars that are commonly l tively operate certain of the yarncarrier bars in determined order, butin general such attempts have beenlimited to special rods and for special purposes.

Where the attempt has been made heretofore to provide automaticmechanisms for controlling the selective operation of all of the carrierbars of a straight knitting machine, the mechanisms were found to beunsatisfactory, For example, they provided an `-automatic control foronly the means driving the carrier bars, and the carrier bar stops wereleft for manual operation. Consequently, when changes in the carrier barstops were to be made during the knitting operation, the machine had tobe stopped to permit the knitter to manipulate the stops. Thesemechanisms also did not provide a compact control at a single stationfor the drive of the carrier bars.

It is, therefore, an object of this invention to mechanism occupies asingle control station to 'hii'iimize the time required by an attendantin checking, adjusting and repairing the mechanism. In this way, lossesdue to idleness of the machine, while manual changes in the controlmechanism are being made, will `be substantially reduced.

Much time will also be saved in the inspection of this mechanism as itsarrangement permits an attendant to make a complete inspection from asingle station.

Another object is to provide an improved pattern controlled mechanismfor selectively operating the yarn carrier bars in determined order.

A further object is to provide pattern controlled mechanism forselectively operating the carrier bar stops in determined order.

y Another object is to provide pattern mecha-l nism which is capable ofproviding a wide variation in the selection and operation of yarncarrier bars and which accomplishes such variation with a minimum amountof mechanism and a minimum number of pattern-determining elements.

A still further object is to provide patterncontrolled lock stops forholding idle carrier bars in the idle position.

Another object is to provide means for driving the carrier bars foryarn-laying movement and auxiliary means for moving selected carrierbars from their idle to selvage position to set them for yarn-layingmovement.

Other objects and advantages will be apparent from the accompanyingdrawings and the following description of a preferred embodiment of theinvention.

Referring to the drawings, which show only such portions of a well knownstraight or full fashioned knitting machine as are suillcient to fullydisclose the application thereto of one embodiment of this invention andits manner of operation:

Figure I is a fragmentary front elevational view of the central and leftend portions of a conventional knitting machine, parts of the machineunessential to an understanding of this invention being broken away oromitted, and shows the machine provided with a preferred embodiment ofthe control mechanism of the present invention with the carrier bars inthe idle position.

Figure II is an enlarged vertical view, partly in cross section, of themachine, being taken on line II-II of Figure I, and showing mainly themechanism for selectively driving the carrier bars.

Figure III is a plan view of the top of the machine, being taken on linelII--IlI of Figure I. For the purposes of illustration,` parts of themechanism in this iigure have been broken away, y

Iigure IV is an enlarged vertical cross sectional detail view, beingtaken on line IV-IV of Figure II and showing a carrier bar in anintermediate operating position.

Figure V (on the last sheet of drawings) is a detail view, with partsbroken away, taken on the line V-V in Figure II.

Figure is a somewhat diagrammatic rear detail view of the patternmechanisms shown in the upper right corner of Figure I and is taken onlines VI-VI of Figures II and III, with some of the supporting platesomitted or broken away.

Figure VII is a vertical end view of one of the pattern mechanisms shownin Figure I, being partly in cross section and taken on line VII-VII ofthat ligure. p p

Figure VIII is a perspective view of the lever l shown partially indotted lines in Figure VI.

Figure IX is an enlarged vertical detail view, being partly in crosssection and taken on line IX--IX of Figure III.

Figure X is a top plan view (taken on line X-X of Figure I) of thecarrier bars and their stops.. For the purposes of illustration, thisligure shows both ends of the carrier bars and also all the carrier barsin the selvage position, with intermediate parts of the carrier barsbroken away.

Figure XI is a vertical view, partly in cross section and takensubstantially on line XI-XI of Figure X. For the purposes ofillustration, this gure shows only one carrier bar and only the stopswhich control this particular carrier bar.

Figure XII is an enlarged vertical cross sectional view taken on lineXII-XII of Figure X.

Figures XIII to XV are diagrammatic views showing one end of a carrierbar in'three positions of adjustment and also the manner of cooperationbetween the several automatic stops and the end of the carrier bar.

Figure XVI is an enlarged side view of the auxiliary -carrier bardriving means shown in Figure I, being taken on lines XVI-XVI of thatfigure.

Figure XVII is a rear detail view of the auxillary carrier bar drivingmeans shown in Figures I and XVI.

Figure XVIII is a perspective view of the operating connections for theauxiliary carrier bar driving means and for the two pattern mechanismsshown in the upper rlghtcorner of Figure I, which connections arepartially shown in Figures I and II.

Figure XIX is an enlarged top plan view of a detail of Figure XVIII.

Figure Xx 1s a detail side view in elevation of one of the pattern chainblocks for pattern mechanism F shown in Figures I, XVIII and XIX.

Figure XXI is a detail end view in elevation of one of the pattern chainblocks for pattern mechanism B shown in Figures I, III and VI. Theknitting machine illustrated in the drawings is of the usualmulti-section type. Its general construction and operation are wellunderstood and therefore require no particular description other thanwill appear in connection with that setting forth this invention. Ingeneral, this invention provides mechanism for a conventional knittingmachine to automatically control the selection and operation of theseveral conventional carrier bars, which selection and operation,heretofore, have usually beencontrolled manually.

In straight knitting machines, as is well known, the yarn is fed to thesinkers by yarn carriers (not shown) mounted on longitudinally movablecarrier bars I which usually extend the length of the machine, and whichare arranged in staggered relation when each one is in its idleposition. This staggered positioning is the result of ment, and theeven-numbered carrierbars I (constituting another series) toward theother end of the machine to an extreme position. If an idle carrier baris to be used in the knittingoperation, it is usually shifted manuallyby the operator from its extreme or idle position to the selvageposition so that its yarn carriers are placed at the selvage or edge ofthe fabric being knit. When the yarn carriers are in the selvageposition they are ready to lay their yarn. Motion for the yarn-layingmovement is usually imparted to selected carrier bars I from areciprocating rod 2 (see Figures I and 1I) operated by the usual couliermotion mechanism (not shown). The selection of a desired carrier barlhas commonly been determined by manual adjustment of drivingconnections between the carrier bars I and the reciprocating rod 2, theadjustment being effected while theknitting machine is idle for thisparticular purpose. The present improvements provide driving connectionsbetween the carrier bars I and the reciprocating rod 2 and also provideautomatic control of these driving connections to selectively operatethe individual carrier bars.

y Drive for carrier bars The carrier bar drive A (see Figure I), for

coupling individual carrier bars I to rod 2 is characterized by itscompact construction to permit its location atonlyasinglecontrol pointor station on the machine. As will be seen, by referring particularly toFigures II, IV and'V. the carrier bar drive A of FigureI includes a drum3 having its axis extending transversely of the carrier bars I and keyedto a shaft 4 which is journaled in bearing brackets 5. The drum 3 isoscillated by reciprocating rod 2 through the intermediary of a crankarm 6, a block 'I secured to the arm 6 and adapted to be manuallyadjusted therealong. a link 8, and a sleeve 9 adiustably secured to rod2. the link 8 being pivotally connected at its opposite ends to theblock I and the sleeve 9 respectively The carrier bars I may beselectively coupled to Ithe oscillating drum 3, so' as to beindividually driven and longitudinally reciprocated thereby. For thispurpose, there is a split clutch or friction band I0 for each carrierbar I. These bands IIJ, which may be resilient, encircle the drum 3 andare positioned in grooves in the latter. Upon contraction of anyselected band I Il, it frlctionally engages the drum 3 so as tooscillate (rotate alternately in opposite .'directions) therewith. Theselected band III, upon being driven, reciprocates its carrier bar I bymeans of an arm I I projecting from the band I0, a link I 2, and a plateI3 secured to the carrier bar I (see Figure IV). It is thus readily seenthat by determined control of the the odd-numbered carrier bars I(constituting a series) being moved toward one end of the mafrictionbands III by mechanism hereinafter described, selective operation of anyone or more carrier bars is readily secured. Links I2 are positioned onthe right side of the bands I0 (looking at Figure I) for those carrierbars (I) which move toward the right end of the machine in assuming anidle position, while the links I2 for the other carrier bars (I) arearranged on the left side of their friction bands I0.

The lcontraction of each friction band I0 is effected by a cam lever I 4pivotally mounted on the end of a pin I5 extending through the bent endsof the band I0 (see Figure IV). A nut I 6 on the other end of the pin I5secures the latter in place and provides for adjustment ofthe cam leverIt. A spring Il, encircling the pin I5 and positioned between the bentends of the friction band Il, opposes the action of the cam lever I4.When a cam lever I4 is free to turn on its pivot. its spring I1 tends toassist the resilient friction band I in expanding, so that the frictionband I0 will be released from driving engagement with drum 3. Two of thelevers I4in released position are shown in Figure I.` On the other hand,when pressure is exerted on the outer end of a lever I4, its inner orcam end engages the face of the adjacent bent end of the friction bandIIJ and forces the two bent ends together to contract the band I0 aboutthe drum 3 for driving engagement therewith (see Figure IV).

It will be noted that, the, illustrated carrier bar drive A provides aplurality of clutch means or friction bands III between' the drum 3 andthe carrier bars I, that is, separate clutch means for ,each carrier barI. These clutch means are positioned at a single control station, sincethey are all arranged to travel over substantially the same longitudinalportion of the knitting machine as distinguished from the travel ofconventional friction boxes such as are shown in the Koebberling et al.Patent 2,062,913, dated December 1,

1936. As illustrated by the Koebberling patent,

conventional friction boxes are distributed in widely spaced relationalong the length of a friction rod extending the full length of theknitting machine. Such conventional arrangement results in the frictionboxes traveling in aligned paths spaced longitudinally of the machine.In the embodiment shown by my accompanying drawings, the clutch means I0between drum 3 and the carrier bars I travel in laterally spaced,parallel paths of movement. v

Automatic control of carrier bar drive As will be seen in Figures I andII, the mechanism for controlling the c-arrier bar drive A toselectively operate one or more individual carrier bars I is alsocompactly designed to be positioned at the same control point on themachine as the carrier bar drive A just described.

For controlling the cam levers I4 to effect the con-traction and releaseof the clutch or friction bands I Il, each cam lever I4 is provided witha race which consists of a set of two arcuate arms I8 extending inopposite directions and pivotally secured at their adjacent inner endsto a shaft I9 (see Figures II. IV and V). Collars (Figure II) mounted onshaft I9 properly space the sets of arms I8 and prevent their shiftingon the shaft I9, When a set of arms I8.is swung on the shaft I9 from araised inoperative position, as shown in Figure I, to -a loweredoperative position, as shown `in Figure IV, the set of arms I8 forms asingle .arcuate race and operates the cam lever Ill of the friction bandI0 immediately below the lowered race-forming arms I3. The arms I8 lnoeing lowered, swing the lever I4 on its pivot to cam the friction bandIII to contracted position. When a friction band II) is contracted, itwill `be driven by the drum 3 and transmit this drive to its carrier barI. The cam-lever I4 of a contracted band III moves therewith in thecarrier bar driving operation, and such lever I4 is held in operativeposition by the lowered race with l which it is constantly engaged. Thisconstant engagement maintains the friction band il) in contractedposition during movement of `the friction band III relative toits race.To reduce the friction between a race and its cooperating cam lever I4,the latter may have a roller 2l mounted on its outer or race-engagingend. Raising of the outer ends of a previously lowered set of arms i8effects disengagement between a particular friction band I0 and the drum3, if the roller 2I cooperating With those arms I8 has reached its limitof movement in either direction. Each roller 2| is 'preferablyposi-tioned diametrlcally opposite the arm II connected to the samefriction band I0, so as to be capable of the same extent of movement onboth sides of thecenter'of the race (see Figure IV).

The desired swinging movement of each set of race arms I8 about theshaft I3 is effected by a pair of links 22 which connect the outer endsof arms I8 to a cross link 23 carried on the lower end of a verticallyreciprocable control rod 24. The rods 24 may have threaded eng-agementwith the links 23, and nuts 25 may be provided to lock each rod 24 toits cross link 23. The rods 24 pass through a guide plate 26, which issecured to brackets 5 and limits the upward movement of the rods 24 byengagement with the nuts 25.

Springs 21 (Figures I and VI) serve to yieldingly maintain the controlrods 24 in their raised or inoperative positions. The lower end of eachspring 21 is connected to a finger 28 secured to a control rod 24, whilethe other end is supported by a fixed bar 29 extending between twostationary frame members 3D.

Control rods 24 are actuated by pattern mechanism to control theselective operation of individual friction bands I0 and the individualcarrier bars I. For this purpose, the upper end of each of the controlrods 24 (see Figure VI) is pivotally secured to a control lever 3lmounted on the shaft 32 extend-ing between frame members 30. Spacingcollars 33 (see Figures II and VI), mounted on shaft 32 and between theconi trol levers 3|, lprevent shifting of the latter on the shaft 32.The pattern mechanism B, about to be described, selectively engages thecontrol levers 3l to swing them on the shaft 32 and lower the respectivecontrol rods 24. This pattern mechanism B comprises a sprocket wheel 34and an idler 35 supporting a pattern chain 33 (see Figures I and VI).The chain 36 carries a longitudinal row of pattern blocks or buttons 31for each carrier bar I`, and the pattern blocks 31 in each row arespaced along the length of the chain 3B to secure determined operationof the control lever 3l and the carrier bar I controlled thereby. Aslengthwise movement is imparted to chain 36 in the direction indicatedby the arrows in Figures I and VI, the pattern blocks 31 in determinedorder move over projections 38 carried by levers 3|, and in so doingexert cam action against the projections 38 to swing the levers 3ldownwardly on the shaft 32 to lower their respective control rods 24 andthereby contract corresponding friction bands I0. 'I'he pattern chain 3Bis advanced a step at a time, and between advances remains stationary.When pattern chain 36 is in such position that it couples a carrier barI to the driving drum 3, it is at rest and a pattern block 31 remains inengagement with the projection 38v of the control lever 3l for thatparticular carrier bar I to hold the lever 3I in the depressed position.At the time a particular carrier bar I is to cease operation, thepattern chain 36 is moved a step to advance the button 31, which hasbeen effecting that operation, beyond the projection 38 on the depressedlever 3i, so that the depressed lever 3l may be restored along with itsrod 2d to the inoperative position by the corresponding spring 21.

The pattern mechanism B is termed a style determining pattern mechanismand is used to control the carrier bar drive A when each or the selectedcarrier bars .I is intended to continue operation for a number ofsuccessive courses of loops. In producing stocking fabric or` certainportions thereof. it is frequently the practice to operate differentcarrier bars for successive i courses of loops to mix the yarns in thefabric and thereby eliminate shadows and streaks. Accordng to apreferred form of this invention, such operation is controlled by asecond pattern mechanism C which may for thatl reason be termed a yarnmixing pattern mechanism. In the drawings, and particularly in FiguresI, VI and VII, pattern mechanism C is shown as being adapted to operatethe front three control rods 24 and the corresponding front threecarrier bars I. It is obvious, of course, -that pattern mechanism'C maybe used to control any group or all of the carrier bars I. It willalso'be understood that the rods 24 which may be operated by patternmechanism C may, also, be operated by the pattern mechanism B. Each ofthe rods 24 operated by pattern mechanism C has an arm 39 which isoperated by a control lever 40 mounted on a xed shaft 4I. The controllevers 40 are held against shifting movement on the shaft 4I by spacingcollars 42 (see Figures VIV and VII). The control levers 40 are operatedby the pattern mechanism C in the same manner as levers 3| are operatedby the so-called style determining pattern mechanism B. The patternmechanism` C comprises a sprocket wheel 43, an idler 44, and a patternchain 45 carrying three columns or longitudinally extending rows ofpattern blocks or buttons 46. Chain 45 may be relatively short in lengthas it is intended to operate the correspondingcarrier bars (I) inrepeated sequences with each sequence corresponding to a few courses ofloops, though the chain 45 m-ay be relatively longer and the sequencesrelatively larger. Chain 45 may also be of any desired width in orderftocontrol as many operating rods 24 as necessary. The spacing andpositioning of pattern blocks 46 determines the order of operation ofthe levers 40and their respective rods 24. Pattern blocks 46,accordingly, may be positioned foroperating the carrier bars one, two\or more at a time. As each pattern block 46 moves to a position over a-control lever 40, it has cam engagement with a projection 41 on thatlever 40 to swing the latter on the shaft 4I and force an arm 39 and itsrod 24 downwardly for contracting a Vcorresponding friction band I0.

Pattern chain 45 may be advanced either one or two steps at a time, andsuccessive pattern blocks 46 are spaced longitudinally of the chain thedistance of two steps. The successive pattern blocks 46 are alsopositioned on the chain 45 in accordance with the desired order ofoperation of the control levers 40. If a pat-tern block 46 is inengagement with a projection 41 of a control lever 40, and the chain 45is advanced only one step, the chain will come to rest in a position inwhich none of the pattern blocks 46 is opposite a projection 41. In thisposition of pattern chain 45, the control of the can'ier bars I by thepattern mechanism C is interrupted. If

. the pattern mechanism C is to again control the corresponding carrierbars I. chain 45 is advanced one step to effect engagement between apattern block 46 and a projection 41. Thereafter or during the controlof the carrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism C, the pattern chain 45is advanced two steps at a time. f

As will be seen from Figures I, II, VI and VII,

pattern mechanisms B and C are similarly sup-` Ported on the machine,are operated by similar pawl and ratchet drives, and are provided withsimilar friction disks for limiting their movement.

A description of these features in connection with one pattern mechanismis, therefore, suicient for a complete understanding of these featuresin connection with both of the pattern mechanisms B and C. The sprocketwheel .34 of pattern mechanism Bis keyed to a shaft 48 which isrotatably supported in two plates 49 rmounted on frame members 30. Oneend of the shaft 48 has threaded engagement with a friction disk 50 (seeFigures I and II) which is locked pressed pawl 53 carried by the lever54 rotatably supported at one end by shaft 48 so as to have pivotalmovement about the same. Lever 54 is pivotally connected at its otherend to a connecting rod 55. Connecting rod 56 is similar in function toconnecting rod 55 land operates the pawl and ratchet drive of thesprocket wheel 43 of pattern mechanism C.

As the two pattern mechanisms B and C are mounted over and adjacent thecarrier bar drive A, 4they are positioned at the same control station asthe latter. Reference to Figure I also shows that the pattern mechanismsB and C are arranged on the knitting machine and substantially withinthe longitudinal portionethereof dened by the end limits of travel ofthe carrier bar drive A. An attendant stationed at the front or rear ofthe carrier bar drive A will,

` therefore, be in a position to inspect, and if necessary repair oradjust. the pattern mechanisms B and C. i Such arrangement willeliminate the loss of time which would otherwise be occasioned by theIattendant walking along the machine from one mechanism to another inhis inspection, adjustment and repair of carrier bar operating means.

Carrier bar stops This invention also providesl a shiftable control unitD (see Figures I and X) at each end of the machine, each unit D havingstops for controlling the operation of the carrier bars I. These stopsand their manner of operation are shown in Figures X to XV. For thepurposes of illustration, Figure XI shows a single carrier bar I andonly the stops that control that particular carrier bar, it beingunderstood that a similar arrangement of stops is provided for each ofthe other carrier bars (I) of the machine (see Figure X). As shown inFigure XI, four stops are provided for the carrier bar (I) i These are:an autom-atically controlled end stop 10, a manually controlled end stop1I, an automatically controlled lock stop 12, and an arresting lever orselvage stop 13. For cooperation with the lock and selvage stops (12 and13), each carrier bar I carries a fixed dog 14 provided with an inclinedupper cam surface. Each end of a carrier bar I tional practice ofstaggering the carrier bars when idle. the automatic-ally controlledstops 10, 12, 13 oi a particular carrier bar are preferably arranged atthe end of the machine toward which that carrier bar (I) moves inassuming its idle position.

For the purposes of illustration, Figure X shows the relativearrangement of the two series of carrier bars I if all the latter weremoved to their selvage positions from their idle positions, The carrierbars I (as shown in Figure X) are still staggered and each carrier bar Iis now ready to begin its yarn laying movement. Figure X also shows theautomatically controlled stops 10, 12, 13 and dogs 14 at the left end ofthe machine for controlling the series of carrier bars I which assume anextreme position toward the left end of the machine when idle, andsimilar stops 10, 12, 13 and dogs 14 at the other end of the machine forthe other series of carrier bars I. Figure X shows further that themanually controlled stop 1I for each carrier bar is at the end of themachine opposite to the one having the automatic stops 10, 12, 13 forthat same carrier bar.

In practicing a preferred embodimentl of this invention, each carrierbar is provided with separate stops 10, 1I 12, but only one arrestinglever 13 is provided for each of the two series of carrier bars (I). i

All the carrier bars are controlled in the same manner by theirrespective stops 10, 1I, 12 and 13. The order of operation of the stopsfor a single carrier bar, as illustrated in Figures XIII to XV, is asfollows:

Figure XIII shows a carrier bar (I) in its idle or inoperative positionand a lock stop 12 engaging the dog 'I4 to prevent accidental movementof the carrier bar (I) toward the right and away from such position, theend stop 10 and selvage stop or arresting lever 13 resting on top of thecarrier bar.

When the carrier bar I is to be used inA laying yarn, its lock stop 12is raised. The carrier bar I is now free to move, and an auxiliaryfriction drive (described hereinafter) effects movement of the releasedcarrier bar (I) from idle to selvage position. The arresting lever 13,by engaging the dog 14 (see Figure XIV) serves' to stop the carrier barin the selvage position. The end stop 10 now drops behind the end of thecarrier bar y I (see Figure XIV) Any carrier bar I in the selvageposition, which is illustrated by the carrier bars in Figures X, XI andXIV, is ready to begin its yarn laying movement. At the proper time, thearresting lever or selvage stop 13 is raised (see Figure XV) clear ofthe dog 14 to free the carrier bar I in the selvagev position so that itmay be operated by the carrier bar drive A previously described.

The operating carrier bar I reciprocates to lay the yarn and at theopposite limits of such movement, it is arrested by its end stops 10 and1I, which now'are in the positions shown in Figure XI. Each of the stops10 and 1I by arresting the carrier bar I causes the friction band I forthat carrier bar to slip on drum 3, until movement of the drum 3 isreversed. As a carrier bar I re'- turns to strike its end stop 10, itsdog I4 due to its inclined upper cam surface lifts and passes under itsarresting lever 13 and the latter drops `behind dog 14 to the positionshown in Figure XIV. When the motion of the carrier bar I is to bereversed, the arresting lever 13 is again raised to release the carrierbar.

If the reciprocating carrier bar I is to have its operationdiscontinued, its end stop I0 is raised to permit it to move to the idleposition where it will be held by its lock stop 12 (see Figure XIII) Asa. carrier bar advances to its idle position, the carrier bar dog 14 dueto its inclined upper cam surface raises the lock stop 12 and passesunder and beyond same. Each carrier bar is stopped, as it arrives at itsidle position, in conventional manner by the engagement of the usualyarn carrier holders (not shown), which it carries, with the usualstationary carrier bar guide brackets 11 shown in Figures I and X.

Supports and operating mechanism for carrier bar stops The shiftablecontrol units D include the usual narrowing heads which in the practiceof this invention, are operated or shifted in conventional manner and byconventional mechanism (not shown) to vary the length of the yarn layingstroke of the carrier bars I. The two units D and their narrowing heads80 provide similar guides and supports for their stops 10 to 13.

Each narrowing head 80 carries a grooved plate 8| for guiding thecarrier bars I, and each plate 8l in turn carries a guide bracket 82slotted to receive a selvage stop lever 13 (see Figures XI and XII).Each selvage stop lever 13 is slidably and pivotally mounted on a rod 83so as to be free to rise and fall in the slot of bracket 82 and to befree to be shifted along the rod 83 by the bracket 82 in the usualnarrowing motion of its narrowing head 80.

Each selvage stop lever 13 may be actuated by means similar to thatemployed in operating the well-known plating stop or arresting levers ofconventional machines. This means consists of an operating arm 84projecting from the pivotally mounted end of arm 13, and a cam 85carried by a cam bar 86 (transverse cross section shown in Figure XII).Cam bar 86 is longitudinally reciprocated by conventional mechanism (notshown), and its operation is so timed that a cam 85 rocks an arm 84 toraise its lever 13,;at the instant the carrier bar or bars I controlledor held thereby are to begin their yarn laying stroke.

Each narrowing head 80 carries two pairs of guide bars 01, 88 forslidably receiving the corresponding stops 10, 1I and 12 (see Figures Xand XI). Spacing blocks 80 and 90 carried between the guide bars 81 and88 maintain the stops 10, 1I and 12 in alignment with their respectivecarrier bars I. Each narrowing head 80has a block SI to provide a bottomrest for its stops 10 and 1I when they are in their lower-most position.The housings for the stops 10, 1I and `12 are supported by the narrowingheads 80, and each housing comprises a top 93 and side walls92, to whichare suitably secured the ends of guide bars 8l and 88.

All of the stops 10 and I2 shown in Figure X are operated through theintermediary of similar connections by the pattern mechanism B.Referring to Figure XI, each of the stops I0, 'I2 is secured to thelower end of an operating flexible cable |00 by means of a set screwIIII. A pull on the upper end of a cable I00 is effective to raise itsstop (I0 or 12). When this lifting force on a cable |00 is removed, itsstop is lowered by a spring |02 (Figure XD connected at its oppositeends to the set screw IOI of the stop and one of the guide bars (81 or88) for that stop. ,As shown in Figure IX, each cable I00 has its upperend connected to one arm of a. bell crank lever |03 pivotally mounted ona shaft |04 extending between frame members 30. Intermediate its ends,each cable may be enclosed ini a flexible conduit |05, which protectsthe cable |00 and at the same time permits its operation. 'Ihis conduitmay be of any suitable construction:

forexample, it might be formed of a helically coiled wire as shown inthe drawings. Figures I and XI show a group of conduits |05 at the leftend of the knitting machine, and it will be u'nderstood that a similargroup of conduits |05 is similarly arranged and supported at the otherend of the machine. The upper and lower ends of each of the conduits |05are connected re- ""spectively to a xed bracket |06 (see Figure IX) themachine (Figure I), is operated bya rod |08, mounted in guide brackets|00 supported on frame members 30.

In illustrating the previously described operating connections for stopsand 12, the drawings (for example, Figures I, III and XI) showcompletely only those connections for the stops at the left end of themachine. It will be understood, however, that similar operatingconnections are provided for the stops 10 and 12 at the right end of themachine, which connections include operating rods I I0 (shown partiallyin Fig-'- by a single column or longitudinal row of pattern blocks orbuttons 31, there being as many ures I, III and VI) similar in characterand funcrespectively (looking at Figures II and III), and.

the' rod on the right in each pair controls the lock stop 12 and the rodon the left controls the end stop 10.of a particular carrier bar. Eachof the so-called right rods |08 is operated by a control lever III-b,each left rod |08 by a control lever l I I-a, each "right rod |I0 by acon-1 trol lever ||2b, and each left rod ||0 by a control lever ||2--a.The control levers (I I I-a, III-b, IIZ-a, and ||2-b) are arranged insets oi' two, similarly to the rods (|08 or ||0) they operate, so thatin each set of control levers for rods |08, there will be a lock stopcontrol lever III--b and an end stop control lever III-a, and in eachset of control levers for rods |I0, there will be a lockA stop controllever II2-b and an end stop control lever |2-a.

Each of the control levers |||-a,' III-b, II2-a, and II2-b is pivotallymounted on a shaft ||3 secured at its ends to supporting plates 49, andthese control levers are spaced in p airs and prevented from shiftingalong shaft ||3 by spacing collars IIS-a encircling the shaft II3. Thecontrol levers II2-a and ||2b have their upper ends extending above thepattern mechanism B so that they may be connected to their respectiverods I I0.

It will now be understood that there is a pair of control levers (III-aand III-b or' ||2a and II2-b) and a control lever 3| for each carrierbar I. These three control levers for each carrier bar are so positionedas to be controlled rows of pattern blocks 31 as there are carrier barsI. In operating the levers III-a, III-b, ||2a and I |2b, the blocks 31engage their lower ends, as may be seen from Figure VI.

The pattern chain 38 is advanced step by step in the direction indicatedby the arrow in Figure VI so that the pattern blocks 31 in each row rstpass their control levers (III-a and III- b or ||2a and ||2-b) and thentheir friction band control lever 3|.

As shown in Figure XXI, each of the blocks 31 has an upper part cut awayso as to provide a projection I i4 on only one side oi.' its top. Theposif tioning of a pattern block 31 with its projection Ill on its rightor left side with regard to its direction of movement determines whetherthat pattern block 31 will *operate an end stop control lever (III-a orIIZ-a) or a lock stop control lever (I I-b or |I2-b) as shown by FiguresII and HI. Control levers 3| are so positioned, or their projections 38are so arranged, that they are operated by the same pattern blocks 31(or proiections IH) that operate the lock stop control levers (I I-b or||2b). The pattern blocks 31 that operate the end stop control levers (Il I-a or ||2a) do not engage the projections on the control levers 3|,but pass along one sidel thereof.

Each of the bell crank levers |03 is connected to one end of a spring II5 (see Figures I and 1X) the other end being secured'to a stationarybar IIS. The springs II5 serve a two-fold purpose: first, theyyieldingly act on the bell crank levers |03 to maintain the controllevers (I I I-a, III-b, ||2a and IIZ-b) in position to be operated bythe pattern blocks 31 at the desired times; second, they assist thesprings |02 (Figure XI) in automatically lowering the stops 10 and 12when the corresponding control levers (III- 'a, III-b, ||2a, and II2-b)are released by theirpattern blocks 31.

Frame members 30, already referred to, are added to the conventionalmachine frame and extend substantially the entire length of the machine.These frame members 30 may be suitably supported above the machine byupright frame members II6 mounted on available parts (not shown) of theusual machine frame.

Auxiliary drive for carrier bars" According to this invention, aseparate or auxiliary carrier bar drive E (Figure I) is provided to movereleased carrier bars from their idle position (see Figures I and XIII)to their selvage position (see Figures X, Xl and XIV). 'Ihis auxiliarydriving mechanism, which is shown in detail in Figures XVI and XVII,comprises a pair of drums |20 each keyed to a shaft |2| rotatablymounted in two bearing brackets |22. Each drum |20 is vencircled by aset of three clutch or friction bands |23, so that there is a total ofsix friction. bands |23, or one for each carrier bar I of the machine.Each friction band |23 is intended to drive its carrier bar in only onedirection. This drive'is obtained by an operating arm |23 projectingfrom each friction band |23 for engagement with a dog |25 securedtoacarrierbar (I).A

' One of the drums |20 (the one on the left in Figure I) and itsfriction bands |23 provide the desired auxiliary one-way drive for theset of three carrier bars which, when idle, assume anextreme rightposition (looking at Fig. I) with respect to the machine; while theother drum |20 and its friction bands |23 provide the drive for theother set of three carrier bars which, when idle, assume an extreme leftposition. As the two sets of carrier bars I (previously referred to)move in opposite directions in passing from their idle to selvagepositions, the drums7|`20 are rotated in opposite directions in theirdriving stroke as shown by the arrows in Figure XVII, so that theirfriction bands |23 `will move in the proper direction to move anyreleased carrier bar (l) from idle to selvage positions.

As shown particularly in Figures I and XVII,

when all of the carrier bars are in the idle position, the dogs |25 abutthe operating arms |24, and the latter are aligned against stationarystop bars |26 secured to brackets |22. It will thus be seen that eacharm |24 in its idle position (see Figure XVII) is restrained from movingin one direction by a stop bar |26, and in the other by a dog |25, whichis in turn held against movement as long as its carrier bar is held by alock stop 12 (see Figure XIII). When a lock stop 12 is raised in themanner already described, its carrier bar is released, and theoperating'arm |24 for the released carrier bar moves in the directiontoward the dog |25 of that carrier bar and thereby moves the releasedcarrier bar to its selvage position where it is arrested by a selvagestop lever 13 (see Figure XIV).

The drive from each drum |20 to its bands |23 is frictional, so thatwhen the drums |20 are oscillated, the friction bands |23 of the carrierbars which are held by lock stops 12 will slip on their drums |20. Eachfriction band |23 is also adapted to slip on its drum |20 when thefriction band (|23) towards the end of its driving stroke has itscarrier bar (I) stopped by a selvage stop 13 and to` slip at the end ofits return stroke when its arm |24 strikes its stop bar |26. Thefriction bands |23 are contracted to frictionally grip their drums |20by means of bolts |21 and nuts |28 connecting the two ends of each ofthe friction bands |23. I'he degree of frictional engagement between afriction band |23 and its drum |20 may be varied by adjusting the nut|28 for that band. Collars |29 secured to each of the drum shafts |2|prevent axial shifting of both the drums |20 and their shafts i2 l.

Shafts |2| are oscillated simultaneously in reverse directions by meansof levers |30 and Cam-controlled operation, of pattern mechanisms B andC and aumiliary carrier bar drive Timed operation of the connecting rods'55,

56 vand |32 is provided by the mechanism shown particularly yin FigureXVIII. The connecting rods 55 and 56 are operatively connected to theends of similar cam levers |40 and |4| respectively. These levers I 40and |4| are pivotally supported by similar stationary bearing brackets|42 and |43 respectively. The cam levers |40 and |4| are individuallycontrolled by catch levers |44 and |45 respectively, which normallyengage the cam levers 40 and |'4|, as shown in Figures I and XVIII, tomaintain them in the raised or inoperative position. When cam levers |40and |4| are released by their catch levers |44 and |45, they areindividually controlled by cooperation of the rollers |46 and |41, whichthey carry, Vwith the cams |48 and |49 secured to lthe cam shaft |50.Cams |48 and |49 are in the form of round disks having a part removed toprovide a iiat or straight cam surface on one side (see Figures II andXVIII). Catch levers |44 and |45 normally hold their respective camlevers |40 and |4| in such position that the rollers |46 and |41 contactonly the` circular `portion of the periphery of the cams |49 and |49 asthe latter rotate with the cam shaft |50.

The connecting rod 55 is intended to have the same extent of movementevery time it is actuated. Catch lever |44, therefore, whenever shiftedto the right (looking at Figures I or XVIII) permits roller n|46 toremain in contact with the peripheral cam surface of cam |46 while theflat or straight cam portion of the latter is passing the roller |46."I'o insure constant engagement between the roller |46 and its cam |48during release of the cam lever |40, the latter is provided with aspring` |5I. This spring |5| is connected at one end to cam lever |40and at its other end to the stationary bar4|52, so that it constantlytends to swing the cam lever |40 towards its actuating cam |48.

The connecting rod 56, however, is intended to have either of twomovements depending on whether the pattern chain 45, which it drives, isto be advanced one or two steps for the purpose already described. Camlever |4|, therefore, is so controlled as to have two possible movementsof different extent. Such control is secured by the stepped shoulders|53 and |54 (see Figures I and XVIII) on catch lever |45. In the normalposition of catch lever |45, already referred to, the end of cam lever|4| rests on shoulder |53.` A spring |55, anchored to stationary rod |52and secured to one end of cam lever |4|, always tends to hold the roller|41 -against thc periphery of cam |49. When catch lever |45 is shiftedto the right (looking at Figures I or XVIII) to bring shoulder |54 underthe end of lever |4|, the shoulder (|54) will limit the extent ofdownward movement of the catch-controlled end of lever |4| las thestraight cam surface of cam |149 passes the roller |41. If catch lever|45 is shifted to ,the right so that neither of the shoulders (|53 or|54) is beneath the end of cam lever |4l, the latter will have a fullmovement as the straight `cam surface of cam |49 passes roller |41. Itwill thus be seen that when shoul- I. der |54 is under tlie end of lever|4|, the pattern chain 45 will be advanced one step in a revolution ofcam |49 and that when catch lever |45 is shifted to entirely free camlever |4|, the pattern chain 45 will be advanced the distance of two Vsteps. To yieldingly maintain the catch lever |45 in its three positionsof adjustment, its upper end is provided with suitable notches |55engaged by a. spring actuated pawl |51 mounted on a stationary part ofthe machine. These notches |55 and pawl |51, however, permit readyoperation of the lever |45 by the means described hereinafter. After thestraight cam surface of either cam |48 or |49 passes its roller (|46 or|41) .the round cam surface of the cam holds the roller and its camlever (|40 or |4|) in such position that the cam lever (|40 or |4|) willbe reengaged and held against operation by its catch lever (|44 oz l|45) when the latter is restored to normal position. To permit thedesired swinging movement of catch levers |44 and |45, they arepivotally. mounted on stationary shafts |58 and |59 respectively.

Catch lever |44 is determinedly oper-ated by a control rod |60 connectedto a two-arm control lever IBI pivotally mounted on the stationaryshaft/ |62. The control lever |'6| is held in normal position by aspring |63 which is connected to the lever |6| so that the catch lever|44 is yieldingly maintained under its cam lever |40. Gperation of lever|6| is provided by pattern mechanism (described hereinafter) whichopposes the action of spring |63.

Catch lever |45 is determinedly operated by a control rod |64 connectedto a three-arm control lever |65 pivotally mounted on shaft |62. Controllever |65 has two operatingarms |66 and |61 which are pattern controlled(as explained hereinafter) to rock catch lever |45 in reversedirections. Arm |61 is oiset, so that it is laterally displa-ced withrespect to arm |66 and the two arms may be selectively .operated as willappear more clearly hereinafter.

Control lever |6I' also controls the operations of connecting rod |32.The latter is operatively connected to a cam lever |68 mounted on astationary bracket |69. 'I'he cam lever |68 carries a roller |10 whichnormally rides on the periphery of a circular disk 1| fixed -to camshaft |50. A spring |12, connected to both stationary bar |52 and camlever |68, holds the latter in its normal position against stop |6911.Roller |10 is shiftable axially (see Figures I and XVIII) on the forkedend of cam lever |68 so thatit may be positioned in the path of a campiece |13 carried on the side of'disk |1|. Shifting of roller- |10 iseffected by a forked rocker arm |14 secured to the rock shaft |15 whichis operatively connected to control lever |6| by rocker arm |16 and link|11. The fiat cam surfaces of cams |48 and |48 have the same relativeposition with respect to cam shaft |50 so that they pass their rollers(|46 and |41) at the same time, while cam piece |13 is so positioned asto engage roller` |10 (when shifted) just after rollers |46 and |41 comeopposite the straight cam portions of cams |48 and |49. The cam shaft|50 makes one revolutlon in each operation of the machine and is sotimed that the iiat portions of cams |48 and |48 and the cam piece |13pass their respective rollers (|46, |41, and |10) between operations ofthe carrier bars Mainl or master control pattern mechanism The desiredtimed operation of all the foregoing mechanisms is controlled andsecured by the main or master control pattern mechanism shown at F inFigure I and in detail in Figures XVIII and XIX. This main or mastercontrol pattern mechanism F comprises a sprocket wheel |80 and an idler|8| supporting a pattern chain |82 provided with pattern blocks orbuttons |83, |84 and |85.

The conventional full-fashioned straight knitting machine of today has aso-called chain motion for automatically controlling the movement of thenarrowing `heads 80, the usual loose course motion (not shown), and theconventional reinforced selvage attachment (not shown). According tothis invention, the pattern chainv of the conventional "chain motion iswidened to accommodate additional pattern blocks or buttons forcontrolling the various parts of the present improvement. This widenedchain is the chain |82 in the drawings, and the additional patternblocks are blocks |83, |84 and |85 in the drawings. Chain |82 is drivenin the direction indicated by the arrow in Figure I by the usual drivingmechanism (not shown) of the conventional "chaln motion previouslyreferred to.

CII

This conventional drive imparts step by step m0- tion to the chain |82,so that the chain advances one step between successive operations of themachine and idles during each operation of the machine.

Pattern blocks |83, |84 and |85 may be positioned on the pattern chain|82 in accordance with any order of operation that is desired for thevarious mechanisms of this invention which tion while the chain |82 isidling prior to its next advance.

One or more pattern blocks |85 are arranged on the chain |82 to actuatelever arm |66 clockwise, and one or more pattern blocks |84 are arrangedto operate lever arm |61 counterclockwise. Pattern blocks |84 and |85are identical and have the shape shown in Figure XX to provide highA andlow cam portions |86 and |81. These high and low cam portions, |86 and|81, in operating either of the arms |66 and |61 of lever |65 shift theoperated arm to different extents. Each pattern block (|84 or |85) isplaced on the chain |82 so that the low cam portion |81 leads. Ingeneral, the pattern chain |82 will be provided with only one patternblock 84 and with only one pattern block |85, though obviously more maybe used when necessary.

The pattern block |85 is effective to initiate the operation of patternmechanism C and is, therefore, placed on pattern chain |82 in advance ofpattern block |84. In one of the movements of pattern chain |82, the lowcam portion 81 of pattern block |65 is brought into engagement withlever arm |66 to move it clockwise for a short distance, so that catchlever |45 has its shoulder |54 brought under the end of cam lever |4I.This engagement between cam portion |81 and lever arm |66 is maintainedduring the subsequent idle period of pattern chainl |82. In the next orsucceeding advance of pattern chain |82, cam poition |81 is moved awayfrom engagement and cam portion |86 into engagement with lever arm |66.The higher cam portion |86 provides an additional clockwise movement oflever arm |66 so that the catch lever |45 frees cam lever 4| for f'ullmovement.. Lever arm |66 and catch lever |45 are left in this second setposition as long as it is desired that pattern mechanism C shouldoperate, and this setting is not changed as the high cam portion |86passes beyond lever arm |66. In each of its set positions, catch lever|45 is yieldingly held vagainst accidental movement by the previouslydescribed spring actuated pawl |51.

Pattern block |84 is effective to discontinue the operation of patternlmechanism C, and is positioned at any desired point on chain|82-generally far behind the pattern block |85. It will, therefore, beunderstood that the close positioning of the pattern blocks |84 and |85in Figures XVIII and XIX is chosen merely for illustration purposes. Thepattern block |84 is carriedl b y the chain |82 for engagement withlever arm V|61 in the same way that pattern block |85 engages lever arm|66. The low cam portion |81 of pattern XIX).

chain 36 of pattern mechanism B may be adblock |84 is the first toengage lever |61 and moves the latter counterclockwise to such an extentthat shoulder |54 of catch lever |45 is positioned below the end of camlever I4| while the latter is being held in raised position by theroller |41 riding on the circular portion of cam |49. Cam 49 during itsnext revolution by its cooperating action with roller I41provides for anadvance of one step of the pattern chain 45 so that the latter will berendered inoperative. In the next advance of chain |82, the high camportion |86 of pattern block |84 moves lever arm |61 counterclockwise afurther distance to bring shoulder |53 of catch lever I 45 under the endof cam lever |4| which is at this time in raised position as the roller|41 is riding on the circular portion of cam |49. The cam lever I4| andthepattern chain 45 are left in this set, inoperative position untillever arm |66 is again operated by a pattern block |85.

Summary of general operation In the general operation of this invention,the master control pattern mechanism F controls the operation of thestyle determining pattern mechanism B, the so-called yarn-mixing patternmechanism C and the auxiliary carrier bar drive E. Pattern mechanism Bin turn controls the end and lock stops 10 and 12 of units D as Well asthe carrier bar drive A. Pattern mechanism C also controls part ofcarrier bar drive A for selectively operating certain carrier bars IWhile the control of carrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism B isinterrupted. The master control pattern mechanism F is advanced once forevery operation of the machine, but pattern mechanisms B and C and theauxiliary carrier bar drive E are operated only when carrier bar changesare desired.

When the yarn-mixing pattern mechanism C is idle, the selective controland operation of all the individual carrier bars I are the same, 'and ageneral explanation with regard to one carrier bar (I) will, therefore,suiiice for all.

When a particular carrier bar (I) is to be set for operation, thepattern chain |82 of pattern mechanism F brings a pattern block |83 intoengagement with lever IBI (Figures I, XVIII and As a result, lever I6Iis actuated so that vanced one step and through the intermediary of oneof its pattern blocks 31 (see Figure lII) operate a lock stop controllever (III--b or II2-b) to effect the raising of the lock stop 12(Figure XI) for the selected carrier bar I. Actuation of the lever I6I(Figure I) also provides for operation of the auxiliary carrier bardrive E so that the released carrier bar I will be moved from its idleposition (Figure XIII) to its selvage position (Figure XIV).

In the next advance of pattern chain |82 (Figures I, XVIII and XIX),another pattern block I 83 thereon engages and rocks lever I6| a secondtime to provide for a further advance of the chain 36 of patternmechanism B. The

pattern block 31, which previously effected the raising of a lock stop12, in this advance of chain 36, is moved past'l its lock stop controllever (I I I-b or IIZ-b) and into engagement with a lever 3| (Figure IV)to provide for contraction of the friction band III (Figures I and IV)which is to drive the chosen carrier bar I. At the same time, theselvage lever 13 (Figure XI) holding the selected carrier bar I israised to free same for yarn laying movement. Carrier bar drive A(Figure I) now reciprocates the free carrier bar for yarn layingoperation. At the limitsof its movement during such operation, thecarrier bar is arrested by end stops 10 and 1| now in the positionsshown in Figure XI.

Each time that the carrier bar I is stoppedv by its end stop 10, theselvage lever 13 slips behind dog 14 (Figures XI and XIV) to hold thecarrier bar I against accidental return movement. Lever 13 is againraised when the carrier bar I is to begin its return movement.

In order to terminate the operation of a rcciprocating carrier bar I,the master control pattern mechanism F provides a further advance of thechain 36 of pattern mechanism B so that another pattern block 31 will bepositioned to engage an end stop control lever (||Ia or II2-a) and eiectthe raising of the end stop 10 for that carrier bar. In the nextmovement vof the carrier bar I toward its end stop 10, the

carrier bar passes under the end stop 16 and to its idle position whereit is held by its lock stop 12 (Figure MII).

Pattern mechanism B controls the lock stops l2 for releasing theindividual carrier bars I, when the carrier bar drive A is under thecontrol of the pattern mechanism B. The latter also provides for therelease of the front three carrier bars I, when these three frontcarriers I are to be placed under control of the yarn-mixing patternmechanism C. The carrier bars I, which are released for operation underthe control of pattern mechanism C, are moved to their selvage positionsby auxiliary carrier bar dnve E in the described manner.

As the pattern blocks 31 of pattern mechanism B which unlock the carrierbars I for operation under the control of pattern mechanism C alsocontrol their friction drive, these particular pattern blocks 31 are soarranged on the chain 36 that after unlocking the front three carrierbars of the machine, they will operate their levers 3| in the same orderand at the same time that the corresponding levers 40 are operated bypattern mechanism C. With this arrangement of the pattern blocks 31,pattern mechanism B Will not interfere With the desired control of thecarrier bar drive A by pattern mechanism C as the pattern mechanism B isbeing advanced to a position in which all of its pattern blocks 31 areinoperative. The pattern mechanism F by shifting catch lever |45(Figures I and XVIII) in the manner already described permits thepattern mechanism C to be automatically set for operation and thenprovides for its repeated operation as and after pattern mechanism B isadvanced to an idle, inoperative position.

When pattern mechanism C is to cease operation, pattern mechanism B isadvanced to effect raising of the end stops 10 of the operating carrierbars I, so that the latter may pass to their idle positions and belocked by lock stops 12.

In discontinuing its operation, the chain 45 .of pattern mechanism C isadvanced one step under the control of pattern mechanism F so that itwill be left in an idle position in which none of its pattern blocks 46is in engagement with a lever 40.

The present disclosure is made with reference to a knitting machinehaving six carrier bars (I), but it is apparent that the invention maybe practiced with a machine having any other number of carrier bars.

The foregoing description and the appended drawings are onlyillustrative of how this invention may be suitably practiced, 'and otherforms and modifications of this invention may be readily devised withinthe spirit and scope of tbe invention, as defined in the following WhatI claim is:

1. A mechanismfor operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocableyarn-carrier supporting means in a straight knitting machine, saidmechanism comprising at least two independent, rotary, friction clutchmeans adapted to provide independent impositive operation for a,corresponding number of individual yarn carrier supporting means, saidrotary clutch means having their axes of rotation in substantially thesame vertical plane, and pattern mechanism for controlling said clutchmeans to provide operation of said yarn carrier supporting means in apredetermined order.

2. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocableyarn carrier supporting means in a multi-section, full fashionedhosiery, straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprising anoscillatable driving means, a plurality of rotary friction clutch meansadapted to be selectively connected to said driving means in drivingrelation and to provide independent, impositive, reciprocable operationfor the individual yarn carrier supporting means. said plurality offriction clutch means having paths of operation all within substantiallythe longitudinal portion of the knitting machine in which any one ofsaid plurality of means travels,

whereby said plurality of means in use are concentrated at a singlecontrol station, separate control means associated with each of saidplurality of means to provide for connection and disconnection in thedrive between the corresponding carrier supporting means and saiddriving means, and pattern means for automatically and selectivelyoperating said control means to secure operation of said yarn carriervsupporting means in a predetermined order.

3. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocableyarn carrier supporting means in a multi-section, full fashionedhosiery, straight knitting machine, said mechanism comprisingoscillating driving means, a. plurality of substantially axiallyaligned, oscillating devices adapted to be selectively driven by saiddriving means and to provide independent, impositive, reciprocableoperation for the individual yarn carrier supporting means, each of saiddevices including a friction clutch, and said plurality of deviceshaving paths of operation disposed in laterally spaced, parallel planes,separate control means for each of said devices to control the drivethereof by said driving means, and pattern means for automatically andselectively operating said control means to secure operation of the yarncarrier supporting means in a predetermined order. v

4. A mechanism as recited in claim 3 wherein the pattern means isarranged substantially within the longitudinal section of the knittingmachine defined by the limits of travel of said devices.

5. A mechanism for operating and controlling a plurality of reciprocableyarn carrier supporting means in a straight knitting machine, saidmechanism comprising a. plurality of substantially axially alignedrotary clutch devices, means for driving said clutch devices, means forconnecting the individual clutch devices to individual yam carriersupporting means in dri relation, means for each .of said clutch devicesto control the operative engagement thereof with said driving means,`and pattern means for automatically and selectively operating saidcontrol means to secure operation of the yarn carrier supporting meansin a predetermined order.

6. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier barsof a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising a rotarydriving device to extend transversely of said carrier bars, rotaryclutch bands mounted on said device, each band being adapted to beconnected to a separate carrier bar for driving the same, and patterndetermining means to eifect the selective engagement in driving relationof said clutch bands and rotary device and thereby provide for operationVof said carrier bars in predetermined order.

'1. In a multi-section straight knitting machine, the improvementcomprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier bars, driving meansincluding a rotary member, a rotary clutch band operatively connected toeach of said carrier bars, said clutch bands being positioned at asingle control station on the machine for selectively engaging saidrotary member in a driving relation to operate the individual carrierbars, and pattern mechanism for controlling said rotary clutch bands toeffect the selective engagement thereof with said rotary member and theoperation of said carrier bars in a predetermined order.

8. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machinehaving longitudinally movable yarn carrier supporting elements, thecombination comprising a rotary driving member, a plurality of rotaryclutch bands for selectively engaging said driving member in drivingrelation, a series of control members for effecting selective drivingengagement between said clutch bands and said driving member, and apattern mechanism for controlling the operation of said control members.

9. An automatic control mechanism for a plurality of movable yarncarrierbars or yarn carrier supporting members in a. straight knittingmachine, said mechanism comprising a rotary member, a plurality ofindependent, radially contractible clutch means adapted to beindividually adjusted to eifect their driving engagement with anddisengagement from said rotary member, each of said clutch means beingadapted to drive a corresponding one of said carrier bars, and patterncontrol means operable between strokes of said carrier bars to adjustsaid clutch means selectively and automatically in predetermined orderto operate said carrier bars in corresponding order.

10. For use in straight knitting machines of the type adapted to knithosiery and having a plurality of reciprocable yarn carrier supportingelements, the combination comprising a rotary driving member, aplurality of friction clutch devicesfor selectively engaging said memberto provide selective operation of a corresponding number of the yarncarrier supporting e1ements,each of said elements to be reciprocated bymeans of an individual friction clutch device, a separate means for eachof said devices to control the operation thereof by said driving member,and means for operating said control means in repeated predeterminedsequences'to effect yarn laying movement of said yarn carrier supportingelements in rotation to mix the yarns in the hosiery.

1l. In, a multi-section straight knitting machine, the combinationcomprising a plurality of movable yarn carrier bars, means for operatingsaid carrier bars, means for selectively connect- `ing said operatingmeans to the individual car- 12. In a multi-section straight knittingmachine, the improvement comprising a plurality of movable yarn carrierbars, means for operating said carrier bars, means positioned at asingle control station on the machine for selectively connecting saidoperating means to the individual carrier bars, two separate patternmechanisms at said control station, means operable by either of saidpattern mechanisms for controlling said connecting means, and automaticmeans for selectively operating said pattern mechanisms.

13. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier barsof a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means foroperating said carrier bars, means for selectively connecting theindividual carrier bars to said operating means, said connecting meanshaving laterally spaced, parallel paths of travel, two separate patternmechanisms arranged on said machine and within substantially the endlimits of said paths of travel, means operable by either patternmechanism for controlling said connecting means, and automatic means forselectively operating said pattern mechanisms.

14. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machinehaving longitudinally movable yarn carrier supporting members, thecombination comprising a driving member rotatably mounted foroscillating movement, a plurality of clutch bands for Aselectivelygripping said driving member in driving relation, two separate patternmechanisms, and a series of control members for eilecting selectivedriving engagement between said clutch bands and said driving member,said control members` being adapted to be operated by both of saidpattern mechanisms.

15. A straight knitting machine carrier bar operating mechanismcomprising two rotary devices, means for driving said rotary devicessimultaneously in opposite directions, means for trans` mitting thedrive of one of said devices to at least one carrier bar of the knittingmachine, and means for transmitting the drive of the other of saiddevices to at least one other carrier` bar of the knitting machine.

16. In a mechanism for operating carrier bars i of a straight knittingmachine, the combination comprising two rotary devices, means foroscillating said rotary devices simultaneously in opposite directions,and at least one carrier bar driving element for each of said devicesand adapted to be driven thereby.

17. In a mechanism for operating carrier bars of a straight knittingmachine, the combination` the knitting machine for operatively andselectively connecting each carrier bar to said driving means, stops forsaid carrier bars, control rods for selectively operating said stops andsaid devices, pattern-actuated levers for determinedly operating saidcontrol rods, and a single pattern mechanism for selectively operatingsaid levers.

19. In an automatic yarn-feeding control mechanism for a straightknitting machine having a plurality of movable yarn carrier supportingelements, the combination comprising driving means for said elements,devices for operatively connecting each of said elements to said drivingmeans, at least one stop for each of said elements, a set of controlrods for each of` said elements, each set including a control rod forthe connecting device and a control rod for each stop of the respectiveelement, a movable pattern mechanism having a row of pattern-determiningmembers arranged lengthwise thereof for each set of control rods, andoperating connections between each row of said members and its set ofcontrol rods for determinedly actuating the device and the stop of therespective yarn carrier supporting element upon movement of said patternmechanism. f

20. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carriersupporting members of a straight knitting machine, the combinationcomprising driving means, a plurality `of clutch devices for operativelyand selectively connecting each of said yarn carrier supporting membersto said driving means in driving relation, stops for said yarn carriersupporting members, a separate control element for each of said devicesand stops,

and a single pattern mechanism for selective engagement with saidcontrol elements to operate the same in a predetermined sequence.

21. In an automatic yarn-feeding control mechanism for a straightknitting machine having a plurality of movable yarn carrier supportingmembers, the combination comprising driving means, a plurality of clutchdevices for selectively connecting said yarn carrier supporting membersto said driving means in driving relation, at least one stop for each ofsaid yarn carrier supporting members, a separate control element foreach of said devices and stops, a pattern mechanism having a rowofpattern determining elements for each yarn carrier supporting member,each of said rows of pattern determining elements being adapted toengage and operate in predetermined order the control elements for therespective yarn carrier supporting member.

22. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carriersupporting elements of a straight knitting machine, the combinationcomprising stops for maintaining said elements in `stationary position,rotary frictional clutch devices oscillatable simultaneously in oppositedirections for shifting said elements, connections providing one-waydrives between said clutch` devices and said elements, patterncontrolled means for selectively operatingr said stops to releaseindividual supporting elements and means for driving said clutch devicesto shift released supporting elements.

23. In a straight knitting machine wherein the yarn carrier supportingelements are reciprocable over a certain distance kfor yarn layingoperations and are movable to a further extent in one direction to placetheir yarn carriers in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from theoutermost selvage position, the combination comprising means forreleasably locking the individual carrier bars in their idle position,means for shifting released carrier bars from` idle to selvagepositions, means for reciprocating shifted carrier bars for yarn layingmovement, and pattern controlled means for operating said locking,shifting, and reciprocating means in determined order.

24. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising aplurality of carrier bars arranged in two sets in their idle position,said two sets being movable in opposite directions when shifted fromidle to operative position, means for releasably locking the individualycarrier bars in the idle position, a set of friction devices fordriving each set of carrier bars from idle to operative position,one-way driving connections between the friction devices and the carrierbars driven thereby, and means for operating the two sets of frictiondevices simultaneously in opposite directions.

25. In a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising aplurality of movable yarn carrier supporting elements arranged in twosets in theiridle position, said two sets being movable in oppositedirections when shifted from idle to operative position, means forreleasably locking the individual supporting elements in their idleposition, a pair of oscillatable driving drums having simultaneousoperation in reverse directions, means interposed between each of saiddrums and one of said sets of supporting elements to provide one-waydriving connections for shifting released supporting elements from idleto operative positions, and means for reciprocating shifted supportingelements for yarn laying movement.' l

26. Ina control for the movable elements supporting the yarn carriers ofa straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means forreleasably locking a yarn carrier supporting element in idle position,an oscillatable member, means for oscillating said member, meansfrictionallyengaging said member and providing a one-way drivingconnection for said supporting element and operative to shift the samefrom idle to operative position when released by said locking means.

27. In an automatic contro-l and driving mechanism for a pluralityl ofmovable yarn carrier supporting elements in a straight knitting machine,the combination `comprising means for locking each of said yarn carriersupporting elements in an idle position, means for controlling saidlocking means to selectively release the individual yarn carriersupporting elements in a predetermined order, and means for actuatingreleased supporting elements, said actuating means including a rotarydevice and a plurality of independently movable clutch units forfrictionally engaging said rotary device in yielding driving relation,each clutch unit being associated with an individual yarn carrierSupporting element to actuate the same after release thereof by saidlocking means.

28. In an automatic control mechanism `for carrier bars of a straightknitting machine wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable overa certaindistance to provide the yarn carriers supported thereby with a normalrange of movement for yarn laying operations, and each carrier bar ismovable to a further extent in one direction to place the yarn carriersthereof in an idle outof-the-way position beyond and spaced from theirnormal range of movement, the combinationcomprising means forselectively reciprocating the individual carrier bars, a set of stopsfor each carrier bar to limit the reciprocable movement thereof anddetermine the normal range of movement of the yarn carriers thereof,means for operating one of the stops in each of said sets to permit thecorresponding carrier bar to travel to an idle position and place eachyarn carrier thereof in its said idle out-of-the-way position, stops forlocking each carrier bar in the idle position thereofto maintain theyarn carriers beyond their range of yarn laying movement, means forselectively operating said locking stops to release individual, idlecan'ier bars, and pattern mechanism for controlling all of said means toprovide automatic operation of said carrier bars, said operable limitstops, and said locking stops in determined sequence.

' 29. The combination with an automatic control mechanism as describedin claim 28, of at least one adjustable narrowing head carrying at leastcertain of said operable limit stops and at least certain of saidlocking stops, and flexible operating connections forming at least partof the means for selectively operating said' narrowing head stops topermit relative translational movement of said narrowing head withrespect to the pattern mechanism without interference with the normaloperation of said narrowing head stops.

30. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straightknitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over acertain distance and between selvage positions for yarn layingoperations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in onedirection to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supportedthereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermostselvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for lockingeach carrier bar in its said idle position, pattern mechanism forcontrolling said locking means to selectively release the individualcarrier bars for movement, and means for automatically moving a releasedcarrier bar from idle to selvage position.

3l. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straightknitting r machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over acertain distance and between selvage positions for yarn layingoperations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in onedirection to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supportedthereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermostselvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for lockingeach of a plurality of carrier bars in said idle position, patternmechanism for controlling said locking means to selectively andindividually release the locked carrier bars, means for automaticallymoving a released carrier bar from idle to selvage position, and meansfor arresting a released and moving carrier bar at said last-namedselvage position.

32. In an automatic control mechanism for carrier bars of a straightknitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over acertain distance and between selvage positions for yarn layingoperations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in onedirection to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supportedthereby in an idle out-of-the-way po-` sition spaced from the outermostselvage position thereof, the combination comprising means for lockingeach carrier bar in said idle position, pattern mechanism forcontrolling said locking means to selectively release the individualcarrier bars, means ior automatically moving released carrier bars fromidle to selvage position,

certain distance and between selvage positions for yam layingoperations, and each rrier bar is movable to a further extent in onedirection audio? for a straight knitting machine,

l wherein an element supports one or more yarn to an idle position forplacing the yarn carriers supported thereby in an idle out-of-the-wayposition spaced from the outermost selvage position' thereof, thecombination comprising means for ,locking each carrier bar in its idleposition, pattern mechanism for controlling. said locking means toselectively release the individual carrier bars, means for automaticallymoving released carrier bars from idle to selvage position, means forarresting released carrier bars at the selvage position, means forwithdrawing said arresting means to an inoperative position, andseparate means for operating released carrier bars for yarn layingmovement upon withdrawal of said arresting means.

34. In an automatic control mechanism. for carrier bars of a straightknitting machine, wherein the carrier bars are reciprocable over acertain distance and between selvage positions for yarn layingoperations, and each carrier bar is movable to a further extent in onedirection to an idle position for placing the yam carriers supportedthereby in an idle out-of-the-way position spaced from the outermostselvage position thereof, the combination comprising means forreciprocating said carrier bars, means for selectively arresting each ofsaid carrier bars in one direction of movement to stop the carrier barsin a selvage position, means for selectively withdrawing said arrestingmeans to permit additional movement of reciprocating carrier bars insaid direction to place the yarn carriers thereof in said yarn carrieridle position, means for automatically locking the carrier bars in saidcarrier bar idle position at the end of said additional movement, andpattern mechanism for controlling said locking means to selectivelyrelease locked carrier bars.

35. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machine,wherein a plurality of carrier bars are reciprocable over a certaindistance and between selvage positions for yarn laying operations, andeach carrier bar of said plurality is movable to a further extent in onedirection to an idle position for placing the yarn carriers supportedthereby in an idle out-of-theway position spaced from the outermostselvage position thereof, the combination comprising means forreciprocating said carrier bars, means for selectively arresting each ofsaid carrier bars in one direction of movement to stop the carrier barsin a selvage position, means for selectively withdrawing said arrestingmeans to permit additional movement of reciprocating carrier bars insaid direction to place the yarn carriers thereof in said yarn carrieridle position, means for automatically locking carrier bars in saidcarrier bar idle positionat the end of said additional movement, andpattern mechanism for controlling said reciprocating means, saidwithdrawing means, and. said locking means to provide operation of thecarrier bars in predetermined order.

36. In an automatic yarn feeding control carriers and is reciprocable toeffect reciprocation of said yarn carriers overa normal range ofmovement for yarn laying operations, said element being further movablein one direction to place said yarn carriers in an idle out-oi-the-wayposition beyond said normal range of movement. the combinationcomprising means for driving said yarn carrier supporting element, meansfor limiting the yarn laying movement of said element in one directionoi travel, means for locking said elementwith said yarn carriersy insaid idle position, means for operating said locking means to releasesaid element. pattern mechanism, and means controlled by said patternmechanism for operating said driving means, said limiting means, andsaid releasing` means in pre determined order.

37. In an automatic yarn feeding control mechanism for a straightknitting machine, wherein an" element supports one or more yarn carriersand is reciprocable to effect reciprocation of said yarn carriers over anormal range of movement between selvage positions for yarn layingoperations, said element being further movable in one direction to placesaid yarncarriers in an idle out-of-the-way positionbeyond said normalrange of movement, the combination comprising means for driving saidyarn carrier supporting element, means for limiting the yarn layingmovement of said element in one directiony of travel, means for lockingsaid element with said yarn carriers in said idle position, means foroperating said locking means to release said element, means separatefrom said driving means for shifting said element when released toreturn each yarn carrier to a selvage position, pattern mechanism, andmeans controlled by said pattern mechanism for operating said drivingmeans, said limit' releasing means in predetermined order.

38. In an automatic yarn feeding control mechanism for a. straightknitting machine, wherein an element supports one or more yarn carriersand is reciprocable to eiect reciprocation of said yarn carriers over anormal range of movement for yarn laying operations, said element beingfurther movable in one direction to place said yarn carriers in an idleout-of-the-way position beyond said normal range of movement, thecombination comprising means for driving said yarn carrier supportingelement, a stop for limiting the yarn laying movement of said element inone direction of travel, a stop for locking the element with its yarncarriers in said idle position, pattern mechanism, and means controlledby said pattern mechanism for operating said driving means, saidlimiting stop, and said locking stop in predetermined order.

39. A carrier bar` control` mechanism for a straight knitting machine,said mechanism comprising yarn carrier driving means, means movablebetween inoperative and operative positions to control said drivingmeans and also movable along a predetermined path during the yarncarrier driving operation, means for actuating said control means fromone of said positions tothe other position and for maintaining the samein the latter position, and means `for operating said actuating means toinitiate and terminate yarn laying operations.

40. In a straight knitting machine, yarn carrier driving means,pivotally mounted means movable between inoperative and operative posigmeans, and said tions to control said driving means and also movablealong a predetermined path during the yarn carrier driving operation,means shiftable to actuate said control means' to the `operative posi--tion and to maintain the same in such position for the duration `of theyarn carrier operating movementl as said control means travels alongrier bars or supporting elements of a straight knitting machine, thecombination comprising rotary driving means, a plurality ofindividually, radially adjustable means for engaging said rotary meansin driving relation, means for transmitting the drive of each of saidengaging means to an individual carrier bar, means for each of saidengaging means and operable to adjust the same to control the drivethereof, said adjusting,

means each being movable along a predetermined path during movement ofthe corresponding carrier bar, means for individually actuating saidadjusting means, and pattern means for selectively operating saidactuating means to provide operation of the carrier'bars in apredetermined order.

42. In operating mechanism for the yarn carrier bars or supportingelements of a straight knitting machine, the combination comprisingrotary driving means, a plurality of individually, radially adjustablemeans for frictionaliy engaging said rotary means in driving relation,means for transmitting the drive of each of said frictionally engagingmeans to anindividual carrier bar, means for each of said frictionaliyengaging means'and` operable to adjust the same to control 4the drivethereof, said adjusting means being movable along a predetermined pathduring movement of the corresponding carrier bar,

means for actuating each of said operable means and slidably engageabletherewith to maintain the same in the actuated position for the durationof movement of'the corresponding carrier bar, and pattern means forselectively operating said actuating means toprovide operation of thecarrier bars in a predetermined order.

43. In a controlling mechanism for the drive of a carrier bar of astraight knitting machine, the combination comprising a control lever, asupport for pivotally mounting said control lever, said lever andsupport being movable as a unit `along a predetermined path duringcarrier bar driving operations, means for actuating said control leverrelative to said support from an inoperative to operative position andfor maintaining the same in the operative position during movement of-said unit along saidpath, and means for restoring said lever to theinoperative position upon release by said actuating means.

44. In a mechanism for driving Aand controlling a movable yarn carriersupporting element of a straight knitting machine, the combinationcomprising a driving member rotatably mounted for oscillating movement,means contractible about said driving member from an inoperativeposition to frictionally grip the same in driving relation,

means to provide a driving connection between for contracting saidcontractible means, means for actuating and engaging said control memberto effect driving engagement between said driving member and saidcontractible means, and means for restoring said control member toinoperative vposition when released by said actuating means.

45. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic `yarn-feeding mechanismcomprising a movable yarn .carrier supporting element, a driving member,a member having driving connection with said carrier supporting elementand adapted to be driven by said. driving member, means, mounted to movewith one of said members and operative to effect driving engagementbetween said members, and a race adapted to be positioned for operatingsaid means and for engaging said means during its movement to maintainsaid means in operative position.

46. In a straight knitting machine, an` automatic yarn-feeding mechanismcomprising a movable yarn carrier supporting element, an oscillating,driving member, a member having driving connectionwith said carriersupporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving.

member, means operative to effect driving engagement between saidmembers, said means being mounted to move with one of said members andin an arcuate path, and an arcuate race for engaging said means duringits movement to maintain said means in operative position.

47. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic yarn-feeding mechanismcomprising a movableyarn carrier supporting element, an oscillatingdriving member, a member having driving connection with said carriersupporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving member,means operative to eiect driving engagement between said members, saidmeans being mounted to move with one of said members and in an arcuatepath, and means for operating said operative means, said operating meansbeing movable to operate said operative means and to provide an arcuaterace for engaging said operative means during its movement to maintainit in operative position.

48. In a straight knitting machine, an automatic yarn-feeding mechanismcomprising a movable yarn carrier supporting element, an oscillatingdriving member, a member having driving connection with said carriersupporting element and adapted to be driven by said driving member,means including a roller and operative to effect driving engagementbetween said members, said roller being mounted to move with one of saidmembers and in an arcuate path, and means movable to control saidoperative means, said control means in one position forming an arcuaterace for said roller during its movement to maintain said operativemeans in operative position.

49. In a straight knitting machine having a. movable yarn carriersupporting element, an automatic control mechanism for said carriersupporting element comprising an oscillating driving member, a frictionband encircling said member and being secured in driving relation tosaid carrier supporting element, means carried by said band forreleasably contracting said band about said member and causing said bandto frictionally grip said member in driving relation, and means foractuating said contracting means and providing in its actuating positiona race for said contracting means during its movement with said ligandto maintain said band in contracted posi- 50. In a straight knittingmachine, yarn carrier driving means, anelement operable to control saidmeans and movable therewith, and a race movable to a position in whichit operates said element and maintains said element in operativeposition during its movement with said driving means.

51. In a straight knitting machine, oscillatable yarn carrier drivingmeans, an element for controlling the. operation of said means andmovable therewith in an arcuate path, and means mov-V able to a positionin which it operates said element, said last-named means in suchposition providing a stationary arcuate race for said elei ment tomaintain it in operative position during its movement with said drivingmeans.

52. In a control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight knittingmachine, the combination comprising yarn carrier operating means, amember for controlling said operating means and movable therewith duringyarn carrier driving operations, a stationary support, a set of twooppositely extending arms pivotally mounted on said support, and meansconnected to said arms for rocking the same about their pivotal axes tomove the said arms from an inoperative position to an operative positionfor actuating said controlling member and maintaining said controllingmember in operative condition during operation of said yarn carrieroperating means. A

53. In a control mechanism for the yarn car- -riers of a straightknitting machine, the combination comprising yarn carrier operatingmeans, a member for 'controlling said operating means and movabletherewith during yarn carrier driving operations, a stationary support,a

set of two oppositely extending arms pivotally carried at their innerends by said support, a connecting 'link pivoted to each of said arms,and means for operating said links to simultaneously rock said arms frominoperative to operative position for actuating said controlling memberand maintaining said controlling member in operative condition duringoperation of said yarn carrier operating means. v

54. In a control mechanism for the yarn carriers of a straight Yknittingmachine, the combination of` a` plurality of devices for selectivelyoperating a plurality of yarn carriers, a member for each of saiddevices to control its operation and movable therewith during the yarncarrier driving operations thereof, a movable race for each oi' saidmembers, each race being adapted to be positioned for operating itsrespective member and maintaining the same in the operative positionduring the yarn carrier driving operation, and pattern controlled meansfor automaticallyand selectively controlling the movements of theindividual races.l

55. In an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier barsof a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising means foroperating said carrier bars, means for selectively connectingsaidoperating means to the individual carrier bars in driving relation,pattern mechanism for controlling said connecting means and having aplurality of pattern determining elements spaced equi-distances apartwith respect to the direction of movement of the pattern mechanism, andautomatic pattern controlled means for advancing said pattern mechanismthe distance between successive pattern determining elements in each ofa plurality of successive operations for controlling said connectingmeans and for advancing said pattern mechanism a less distance tointerrupt the control between said pattern mechanism and said connectingmeans.

56. In'an automatic control mechanism for the movable yarn carrier barsof a straight knitting machine, the combination comprising stops forcontrolling the movements of said carrier bars, pattern mechanism forcontrolling said stops to selectively release the individual carrierbars, a narrowing head supporting said stops and movable relative tosaid pattern mechanism in positioning the stops to vary the limits ofcarrier bar movement, and exible operating connections between saidstops and said pattern mechanism to permit said movement of thenarrowing head without interrupting the control of said stops.

57. In an automatic control mechanism for a straight knitting machinehaving movable yarn carrier bars, the combination comprising a movablenarrowing head, a set of carrier bar stops carried by said head,flexible protective conduits having their opposite ends securedrespectively to said narrowing head and a stationary part of v themachine, and exible cables within said conduits and movable therealongfor selectively operating said stops.

58. In a control apparatus for knitting machines, the combinationcomprising an operation controlling member having a plurality ofpositions of adjustment, a pattern mechanism, and

a lever member connected to said controlling`

